Insider: With rotation set, IU ready to contend in Big Ten

IU brings back its core from a year ago, which only raises expectations.(Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star)

BLOOMINGTON -- Indiana's offseason passed another mile marker this week, with the revealing of jersey numbers for all four freshmen.

Thomas Bryant will be the first Hoosier to wear No. 31 since Cem Dinc in 2006. Juwan Morgan takes up the No. 13 jersey, while OG Anunoby picked No. 3 and walk-on Harrison Niego No. 15.

One step closer to Hoosier Hysteria?

But the official arrival of IU's freshman class, and the relative calm that has settled over the roster since Max Bielfeldt's commitment on June 2, beg a further question: Is Indiana's rotation for the coming season more or less set?

It's easy to envision a starting lineup that includes Yogi Ferrell, Robert Johnson, James Blackmon Jr. and Troy Williams, around Bryant in the middle. Bielfeldt, guard Nick Zeisloft and junior forward Collin Hartman all provide veteran depth. And sophomore forward Emmitt Holt deepens a post rotation that's head and shoulders above where it was a season ago.

There, Indiana has a nine-man rotation that can compete, on paper, with anyone in the Big Ten. It has athleticism, size, depth in the post and plenty of shooting ability.

Guard rotations will need to be handled deftly, with only one true backcourt player on the bench, but that can be managed. The talent is there.

Does Indiana go any deeper?

Tom Crean built, basically, a nine-man rotation last year (no one outside IU's top nine in minutes played averaged more than 7.7 per game). He's gone with shorter and longer benches in the past, so if Morgan, Anunoby or Tim Priller -- or even Niego -- has something to offer, there could be minutes for them.

But there aren't many needs in the nine-man rotation listed above. There's a hierarchy, certainly. Plenty of depth in the post to complement IU's three-guard lineup. Veterans in the starting five and off the bench.

Adding one more reliable ball handler to the bench could prove useful, but again, there's a question of playing time. The Hoosiers could start three guards, but all three can effectively run the offense, so how many minutes can you take away from them?

So here, on June 26 and barring something unforeseen, Indiana appears to have a solid rotation already in place for next season.

It's versatile, balanced and experienced, three things the Hoosiers haven't been able to say often in the past two seasons. Given the right improvement and preparation, IU should be ready to compete at the top of the Big Ten.